President Obama Honors Duval County Teacher

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Our Teacher of the Week was selected by President Obama as the best elementary math teacher in Florida and among the best in the entire country.

Tim Kenney has a connection with students and has been teaching mathematics to fifth-graders for nine years, but now he's Duval County's math coach.

"My true passion is with the kids but it does give me a different dimension working with students and being able to work with more students then just the 30 students I have in my class."

For the past several years, Kenney taught mathematics to fifth-graders at Mandarin Oaks Elementary. He now works with teachers and students from 19 different elementary schools in the county.

Kenney is good at what he does; so good Obama selected him for the prestigious Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching. Only 85 teachers were picked in the entire country.

"It's amazing. I've been smiling for the last week and a half since I found out," said Kenney.

Former Duval County Teacher of the Year and state finalist Zachary Champagne has worked closely with Kenney for years and is one of only a few teachers in Duval County to receive this honor in the past.

"This is the pinnacle of a career for a math and science teacher. It's the nations highest honor for a math and science educator you can receive. You receive a signed citation from the President honoring your work."

Kenney feels honored to be recognized by the president and is looking forward to many more years in the classroom. "This is the highest honor that any math and science teacher can get."

As the winner of the presidential honor Tim Kenney will receive a $10,000 award from the National Science Foundation to be used at his discretion and a trip to Washington, D.C., for a special awards ceremony.